DILG exec warns against cover-up in Manila teen mauling case

Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary Martin Diño warned personnel of Barangay 350 in Sta. Cruz, Manila not to meddle in the investigation of its chairman, Felipe Falcon Jr. , who mauled a 16-year-old boy last week.

In an interview on "Super Radyo dzBB," Diño said barangay officials who would try to twist the ongoing probe would face charges.

“Kaya winawarningan ko na po ang mga tauhan ni kapitan, h’wag na po nilang baluktutin itong imbestigasyon na ito,” Diño said.

“Lahat po ng gagawa para ga***in ang imbestigasyon, pati ho sila idedemanda namin,” he added.

On Monday, Falcon surfaced at the office of Diño after several days in hiding.

“After many days, at kusang loob na nagpakita sa akin dito sa opisina… Sinabi niya sa akin na nagpunta raw siya ng Laguna dahil natakot siya, dahil matindi na ang galit sa kanya ng social media,” he said.

Diño said that Falcon cannot be arrested without a warrant.

“Unang-una wala pong warrant of arrest si kapitan. Kung may warrant of arrest yan, hindi ko na pinaalis dito yan at tumawag na ako ng pulis. Meron po kasi tayong due process of law,” he said.

Diño said the DILG was also building up its own investigation for a possible administrative case against those involved.

The DILG official expressed disbelief that the CCTV in the barangay hall was not working at the time of the incident.

“Hindi po pwedeng mangyari yun, dahil unang una, sinabi ng ama nung lumabas siya, nakita niyang umaandar yung CCTV,” Diño said.

“Kaya ‘wag nang ta*****duhin ng mga tauhan sa barangay itong CCTV na ‘to, dahil unang-una, i-pepenalize ko din sila,” he added. — Joviland Rita/ LDF, GMA News